About Starry sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) Danube Delta
The Starry Sturgeon or the Stellate Sturgeon (Ascipenser Stellatus) is a mid-sized sturgeon. During its reproductive period, this sturgeon migrates from the Black Sea to the Danube.
On average, a Starry Sturgeon measures 1,2 to 1,5 m and weights between 10 and 15 Kg, but there have been captured specimens which measured 2 m and weighted 80 Kg.
The Starry Sturgeon has a fusiform body, with a long and narrow snout. Its mouth is cross-cut and its lower lip is medially interrupted. This sturgeon has straight whiskers. Its body is covered with 10 to 15 dorsal shields and 30 to 35 ventral shields, coloured in a dirty white. Its backside is dark brown and its belly is white.
During daytime it remains in depths, but during night time it swims towards the surface in search of nourishment.
Its spawns feed on larvae, worms and crustaceans. The adult Starry Sturgeon prefers fish and crustaceans.
The female Starry Sturgeon reaches its sexual maturity at age 10 to 14 and a male at 7 to 10 years. The Starry Sturgeon does not breed every year.
A female can lay between 30 000 and 180 000 eggs. These eggs are laid on a rocky surface, with gravel or pebble.
The Starry Sturgeon interbreeds with the Russian Sturgeon, the Beluga, the Bastard Sturgeon and the Sterlet. Their hybrid spawns present similar characteristics as their parents.
The Starry Sturgeon can be found in the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Aegean Sea. The oldest Starry Sturgeon that was ever captured in the Black Sea was 23 years old.